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Meet the boy who survived own-goal horror to become Wales captain

Luc Noble is a normal boy from Newport.But at 16 he's captained his country.And signed for a Football League club.

The captain of Wales’ U16 Victory Shield campaign in 2017 describes the experience as “Unbelievable,” and “Something I dreamed of as a kid.” Centre back Luc was also captain during Wales's successful U16 UEFA tournament campaign in Greece in 2018. He plays for Bristol Rovers and has hopes of becoming a professional player and maybe even a Wales international.

But his football journey started at his local club, Gaer FC, in Newport. He said: “I remember my first goal. It was an own-goal!”But that sorry start didn’t put Luc off and he went on to play for Cardiff City Academy before moving across the Severn Bridge to Rovers. And in the Victory Shield he was scoring goals for Wales – at the right end!

When asked what has set him apart from other talented players, who have dropped out of the game, Luc said: “Mostly it was dedication. Firstly, from my mum and dad who drove me to so many places. Then from me to train three or four nights every week. “It was hard not go-out with my mates, but I knew I had to put the work in, on and off the pitch.” Now he’s a role-model for the next generation of aspiring young footballers, what advice would Luc give them? “I'd tell them to work hard every day. “Everybody has bad days but just keep going. “Keep helping out the younger ones and be an inspiration to them.”